From the Top one can overview DianMen Dajie' with at the end the Drum Tower, Beihai Park with its White Dagoba , The Imperial
Jing Shan Park
WanChun Ting - Everlasting Spring Pavilion
This page was last updated on: January 30, 2012
After a long and steep climb onto Jingshan one finally reaches the Top of the Hill. Here stands the Wan Chun Ting, or Everlasting Spring Pavilion.
The WanChun Pavilion stands at atop Jingshan or Prospect Hill at Beijing's Jingshan Park, the Highest Point of Beijing during the Last 491 Years of China's Imperial Dynasties.
During the Time of the Dynasties it was know as "Dominating Hill ", a name that is easily understood once standing at the Wan Chun Ting. The Everlasting Spring Pavilion not only offers a Unique full 360 degrees view of the entire City skyline, the entire Hill seems to dominate the surrounding City as there are no Highrises or
The Drum Tower is the place where the Ancient Imperial Watch was kept, sounding out the morning and days
Watches over the City and Imperial Palace.
The Drum Tower also has an important function as the Nations Clock during New Years Festivities.
Today it is a popular tourist visit. Tourists often board a ricksaw at the Drum Tower, then enjoy a tour of the nearby Houhai Lake and Hutong Areas, then wind up at Jin Ding Bridge. The Jin Ding Bridge is at the Center of the Houhai
/Shichahai Bar Area. a Popular rest & hang out spot famous for its evening lights, music, jobless artist and entertainment.
The Pavilions' decorations are in Ming Style with glazed green and yellow tiles on the surrounding walls. In the distance BeiHai or North Lake Park with its Famed White Dagoba, another Landmark of Beijing, created for the occasion of the visit of the 5Th Dalai Lama of Tibet to the newly established Ching Court in the 17Th Century AD.
Clearly visible on a nice day in Beijing - The Beihai Park's Buddhist White Dagoba , the North Lake at Beihai Park and in the far distance the Western Jundu Mountains.
(On windless days smog -> can drasticly reduce the view.)
The White Dagoba at Beihai Park is another Ancient Beijing Landmark.
Since we are up to the 14Th Dalai Lama , by now, I am sure you can imagine the Dagoba's history. We found it a very worthwhile place to visit in many respects. For more please view the Beihai Park Report Pages.
10x Zoom : The Beihai White Dagoba, a 17th Century Buddhist Shrine. Note the important small Pagoda standing in front of the White Pagoda. This is another spot with an excellent view of the Beijing Skyline.
The Dagoba was rebuilt in 1741. In 1973 AD it was damaged in a heavy earthquake , but it has been restored to its former Glory long since.
10x Zoom : The Beihai White Dagoba can bee clearly seen from within the Forbidden City and as depicted from Jingshan or Prospect Hill, north of the Forbidden City.
And then...
Turning your head South-ward...
An absolutely stunning overview of the Ancient Imperial Palace and its grounds !!
Sitting down at the WanChun Platform once can enjoy the absolute best view of the Beijing Skyline , 45.7 meters above the Plain.
In front and below are The Imperial Palace walls and the Northern Gate of Divine Militairy Genius. Behind that the full stretch the so called Forbidden City ia in view. In the very far distance behind the Imperial Palace a hint of the Huge TiananMen Square, the heart of the City of Beijing and Political Centre of China.
yourself in the afternoon sun while taking in the Full Athmosphere of the Ancient Palace ??
Note the exact North-South Alignment of the Imperial Palace Gates and Main Ceremonial Buildings.
1 more : shooting against the sun , the Unique 1-and-only Skyline of The Palace.
In the Far distance and Left, the Pyramid of the Capital Hotel another First Class view-point of the Skyline.
This website exclusively recommends this 5 star hotel with location closest to TiananMen Square and rooms and restaurants with spectacular view of the Forbidden City and surrounding City Centre.
-Mouse over Image to zoom 10x
and see the Capitol Hotel -
Some 46 meters down below visitors to The Palace Museum can be seen leaving the Northern Gate. Behind the Northern Gate the square grounds of the Imperial Gardens can easily be made out. Behind that, in the background the Central Ceremonial Buildings line up with to the left- and right-center the towers of the WuMen ( Meridian Gate ) clearly visible.
The WuMen is the Southern Gate into the so called Forbidden City and is the Main Entrance.
Clearly visible are the Impressive Palace Watch-towers,
Zhongnanhai is off limits to Photography and people.
As we are leaving WanChun Pavilion and the beautiful views of the Palace we continue down Jingshan Hill past Pavilions down into the Park.
Some History : When the Republican Army that resulted from a revolt against the Ching Dynasty took up positions in Beijing in 1911 AD,
the symbolic shot-to-the head of China's Last Dynasty was fired from here. Desiring to pressure the Ching House into abdication , the Republican leadership ordered 1 canon-shell fired from this point.
The bomb, landing in a Palace Garden Pond and doing little damage rattled Court Nerves. Days later the Ching House, Emperor Pu Yi declared his Abdication ending the Last and Final Dynasty of China.
Th Emperor would remain living in the Palace until 1919 when he fled with Japanese help to the Ching homeland in the North, making it the Japanese Puppet State of Manchukuo and himself a war-criminal.
Palace grounds and a wide overall view of the Ancient City grounds.
When viewing North one is looking exactly along the Ancient Cities' North South-Axis. In view are the Beijing Children's Palace with behind it the important DianMen Dajie'.
A Clear View south along the Central Axis of the City. In Front, Shen Wu Men - Gate of Divine Might, in between the Palace Museum and in the Far Distance TiananMen Square (Photo 2003).
Overview of Northern Beijing Skyline from Jingshan. Below the Green of Jingshan Park, the Red Gates of Shou Huang Hall and the Childrens Palace and beyond DianMen Dajie' with at its End the Drum Tower (photo 2002 AD).
The Shou Huang Hall, DianMen Wai Dajie' and Drum Tower seen from Jingshan (photo 2002 AD).
Visitors overlook Beihai Park, The North Lake and XiCheng District beyond from the Everlasting Spring Pavilion at Jingshan.
The Wan Chun Pavilion has the Perfect Views of the most romantic place in Beijing, which is why the Qianlong Emperor counted it among his Favorite spots.
Visitors squint against the bright sun to make out the structures of the Central City and the Palace Museum below.
Super-source Book on the Forbidden City by Frances Wood, original Publication by the British Museum in London and Press.
All the Main Facts and Many Details on the Court Procedures and other rare but interesting know-how on the Palace Museum.
A Detailed View of the North-Western Watchtower and the Moat of the Palace Museum from Wan Chun Ting (Photo Movember 2003).
Bright and Clear Skies over the Palace Museum in 2002 AD. Since increased car traffic & industry have soiled the skies of Beijing considerably.
Open Jingshan Park Map.
Webstyle produced NavBar
- Mouse over Image -
Large Scale Map o/t Palace Museum, all structures.
